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Foundation Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How and when do I apply for Foundation Scholarships at Radford University?

A: To be considered for Foundation Scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year, Radford University students may log-on to Radford’s on-line Foundation Scholarship application management portal, AcademicWorkshttps://radford.academicworks.combeginning December 1st 2017 through February 5th 2018. Students will need to use their MyRU portal log-on credentials to log-on to Academic Works.

Fall 2018 Incoming Radford University Students(freshman and transfer students) may apply for Foundation Scholarships, however, most Foundation Scholarships have criteria (qualifications) that are geared for current students. While only a few incoming students are awarded Foundation Scholarships, it is always a good idea to apply. Please note that a non-Radford student must be accepted and have already paid a deposit to be awarded a Foundation Scholarship.

Do not apply prior to December 1st for the 2018-2019 scholarship cycle. Applications submitted prior to December 1st will not be included in the 2018-2019 application pool. (Faculty will begin the review of applications in mid-February.)

Q: Does it take a long time to apply?

A: It takes 10-15 minutes for most students to complete the general application, which will allow students to be auto-matched with multiple scholarships.

The time it will take to complete the general application will depend on how much information a student includes. Usually, the scholarship committee can make a more informed decision when students include details on their leadership, unique experiences and what might set him/her apart from other applicants. Below are details about the general application:

· The general application will allow applicants the opportunity to share information about their activities, honors, achievements, organizational participation and leadership.

· The general application will also include several yes and no questions.

· It will also include space for students to provide additional personal and family information (which could help match a student to certain scholarships).

· References are not required as a part of the general scholarship application, but may be required for some apply-to scholarships.

· Students must sign the honor statement.

Students may also be invited to apply for additional scholarship opportunities if information from the general application indicates that there could be additional matches. For students to be considered, there will be additional requirements for students to “apply-to” these scholarships. Below are the most common requirements:

1) Write an essay

2) Provide names and emails of references

3) Submit a résumé

4) Answer a specific question or questions that could be used as qualifiers

Q: For “apply-to” scholarships, how do I provide my résumé or essay, if required?

A: Students may simply upload their documents where prompted.

Q: For “apply-to” scholarships, how do I provide my references, if required?

A: First, applicants need to identify who might be willing and able to write a reference letter for them.

Second, ask permission. Applicants need to make sure the person is willing to be a reference. While it is acceptable for students to request their favorite faculty member, some faculty may not feel comfortable. Hint: many faculty serve on scholarship committees, and may feel being a reference could be conflict of interest.

Enter your reference’s name and email where prompted, and AcademicWorks will send an automated communication to your reference with instructions on how to upload their letter directly to the AcademicWorks system. This process keeps everything confidential.

Q: Why can’t I see any auto-match scholarships in my AcademicWorks portal?

A: Auto-matches made using student information from the general scholarship application are not viewable in students’ AcademicWorks portal because there is no further action required for a student to be considered.

Q: How often do I apply for Foundation Scholarships?

A:Radford University has one scholarship cycle each academic year, but a few new opportunities may come up throughout the year. To be considered for Foundation Scholarships for the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year, students will need to applysometime between December 1st 2017 and February 5th 2018 through our Foundation Scholarship application management portal, AcademicWorks. https://radford.academicworks.com.

Students should also be on the look-out for emails from faculty or chairs of their departments, or even from the Financial Aid Office announcing additional opportunities that may come up mid-year.

Hint: If a student has already completed the general application during the normal application time frame, he/she will only need to complete the supplemental application for the new “apply-to” scholarship opportunity.

Q: Can out-of-state students receive Foundation Scholarships?

A: Yes, of course! Many scholarships do not have geographic criteria, and there are some that are specifically geared for out-of-state students or even international students.

Q: Is there a difference between Foundation Scholarships and Institutional Scholarships?

A: Yes.Foundation Scholarships are scholarships that our generous donors have created, and these scholarship funds are managed by Radford University Foundation Inc. Students are selected by various scholarship committees throughout the university for these scholarships.

Institutional Scholarships are scholarships that are allocated and budgeted by the university, and are typically awarded in the fall or early spring for the upcoming academic year by the Admissions Office to new freshman and transfer students. The Graduate College also awards some institutional scholarships.

Athletics combines Institutional and Foundation Scholarships in many of their athletic award packages.

Q: How do I know if I qualify for one of Radford’s Foundation Scholarships?

Donors specify criteria (qualifications) for their scholarships. The GPA required for eligibility can vary. Some scholarships are based on state and county residency. Some scholarships are based on academic performance. Others are based on a student demonstrating financial need by submitting a FAFSA.

Q: If I qualify for a Foundation Scholarship, will I automatically receive the scholarship?

A: No. Scholarship committees throughout the university will review applicants who meet the criteria (qualifications) and identify and award the most qualified applicant(s) based on the criteria listed for each scholarship.

Q: If I received a Foundation Scholarship last year, will I automatically receive it again?

A: Possibly.Some Foundation Scholarships are not renewable and most scholarships require students to reapply, continue to meet certain criteria (qualifications) and compete with the rest of the students applying for the scholarship the next year.

Some scholarships are for freshmen only and a new recipient is named each year. Still a few scholarships may be renewed if the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements—no application is required.

Q: Do I need to apply for Foundation Scholarships each year?

A: Yes, it is best to reapply each year! The vast majority of Radford’s Foundation Scholarships require students to apply each year—even for renewals. No matter the outcome of the previous award cycles, students should apply each year to be considered!

Q: Are there campus-wide Foundation Scholarships?

A: Yes. Although many of Radford’s Foundation Scholarships are based on major or academic college, there are a number of scholarships available campus-wide regardless of major.

An Example of a campus-wide Foundation Scholarship is the Oneta Stanley Turner Scholarship. This scholarship does not have a major requirement, however it does require the student to be full-time and it has a GPA and financial need requirement.

Q: Am I required to complete the FAFSA to be considered for any of Radford University’s Foundation Scholarships?

A: No. Students are not required to complete the FAFSA to apply for Foundation Scholarships, however, the majorityof our Foundation Scholarships require students to demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for consideration.

To be considered for the most opportunities, it is best for students to complete the FAFSA!

Q: How and when will I be notified if I am selected for a Foundation scholarship from Radford University?

A: The Financial Aid Office will send EMAIL notifications for the Foundation Scholarships awarded through AcademicWorks. Award notification emails come from foundscholar@radford.edu and will be sent to students through their Radford University email accounts. Notificationstypically go out in early May.

Q: How much is my scholarship?

A: Foundation Scholarship awards vary depending on the terms of the scholarship agreement and current market conditions. Most awards range between $500 and $5000, but a few may be more or less. Funding availability is subject to change each year.

Q: How do Foundation Scholarship funds pay for my education?

A: Foundation Scholarship funds are posted against a student’s university account to settle any charges at the university. Below are additional details:

For either full-time or part-time students, total scholarship awards cannot exceed the cost of attendance. Cost of attendance is the total budget for a student (which includes tuition, fees, room & board, books, personal and travel expenses—and varies if a student is part-time or less than part time). Although rare, if the amount of a student’s scholarship puts the student over the cost of attendance, the scholarship will be reduced superseding the original scholarship award notification sent to the student.

Scholarship funds are typically disbursed across the academic year with 50% of the award paid in the fall semester and 50% paid in the spring semester.

Q: I am graduating after the fall semester; may I have the full amount of my scholarship in the fall?

A: It depends on the scholarship and the amount to be awarded. Some scholarships can be awarded all in one semester and others cannot. If the scholarship allows for it and if the amount does not exceed the cost of attendance, it is possible.

Fall-only awards are made on a case-by-case bases, and will require permission from the university. If you have specific questions, email Cherie Durbin, Foundation Scholarships Coordinator cdurbin2@radford.edu.

Q: Why must I submit a thank you letter to receive my Foundation Scholarship?

A: It is the right thing to do! Foundation Scholarships are not just another funding source, they are true gifts, and gifts like these need to be acknowledged in a sincere, meaningful way.

Because our donors are a very special part of our Radford University family, we must take the time and effort to ensure they understand the impact of their gifts! The best way do this is send a message of thanks in writing.

In addition to sending thank you letters, students are invited to send pictures as well as thank you video messages.

Students may send their pictures and video messages to Cherie Durbin,Foundation Scholarships Coordinator cdurbin2@radford.edu.

The university may feature some of our most heartfelt, funny and best all-around video messages through our website and at our annual Partners in Excellence Luncheon that brings together our amazing donors and talented students.

Please note: students are required to submit their thank you letters by the designated deadline (June 15th) to receive their scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Q: If I receive a Foundation Scholarship, will I be required to attend the Partners in Excellence Luncheon?

A: If a student’s donor attends, the student will be required to attend. This is an amazing opportunity for students to thank their donor(s) in person and make a connection with a very generous and successful Radford “family” member.

Should there be a class conflict with the luncheon, we will work with the student’s faculty to determine if attendance is possible.

Q: How can I “see” my Radford University Foundation Scholarship award?

A: Students may see their Foundation Scholarship award in four places. Below are details:

1) Email—Early May.Students who have been awarded a Foundation Scholarship will receive an award notification by email from foundscholar@radford.edu.

2) AcademicWorks portal—May. Students who have received notification that they have received a Foundation Scholarship by email from foundscholar@radford.edu will also be able to log-on to their AcademicWorks account https://radford.academicworks.com, and see their scholarship listed in an in-system notification. (Students will need to click on the accept button at the bottom of the scholarship icon(s) and write a thank you letter to their donor contact.)

3) Financial Aid portal—Once awards are posted in AcademicWorks, they will then be processed and included as a part of the student’s financial aid package. (Timing may vary depending on the volume of work being processed in the Financial Aid Office at that time.)

4) Student Accounts Portal—Updates that are made in the Financial Aid Portal can also be seen in the Student Accounts Portal in real-time.

Q: Why has my Foundation Scholarship not paid to my Student Account?

A: Scholarships are processed and posted by the Financial Aid Office in the order they are received. It may take a little while for the scholarship award to be processed and show in the student's account depending on the volume of scholarships being processed.

It is important to note that award recipients’ thank you lettersmust be received and approved before scholarship funds are paid out and are reflected on their bills.

If your award is not showing up in your financial aid account by the beginning of July, email Cherie Durbin,Foundation Scholarships Coordinator cdurbin2@radford.edu to determine the status of your missing scholarship.

Q: Is it possible that I could lose my Foundation Scholarship?

A: While rare, it is possible. If it is found that a student no longer meets the Foundation Scholarship criteria (qualifications) a student’s scholarship could be cancelled. Below are some examples of factors that could impact a student’s scholarship eligibility:

1) Major change

2) GPA falling below the minimum requirement of the scholarship

3) Less than full-time status (if the scholarship requires a student to be full-time)

4) Student conduct conviction

5) Honor code violation

6) Student withdraw from the university

Q: Why was I not awarded a Foundation Scholarship from Radford University?

A: The competition for scholarships can be intense. There are many more students who apply for scholarships than scholarships available. To be competitive, applicants should take the time to read the application questions carefully before answering, and make sure they are including all their activities, leadership experience, community service and other relevant information.

Q: Is it possible to be awarded a Foundation Scholarship after the Foundation Scholarship review process is over?

A: Yes. Although rare, it is possible.

Q: Is it possible to be awarded a Foundation Scholarship If I attend graduate school at Radford University?

A: Yes. There are several Foundation Scholarships that are either intended for graduate students or do not have restrictions prohibiting them from being awarded to graduate students.

Q: If I have more questions about Foundation Scholarships available at Radford University, who do I contact?

Filing Your FAFSA

The FAFSA for the 2018-2019 school year will be available after October 1, 2017. Be sure to file your FAFSA by the priority filing date of Dec. 1. If you have any questions about filing the FAFSA please contact our office.

Don't forget to include the Radford University school code so we receive a copy of your FAFSA.